Squirrel Pest Control & Removal Across the East Midlands

Why are grey squirrels in my loft?

The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) was introduced from North America in the 19th century and is now common across the East Midlands, in towns as well as woodland. A warm, dry loft is an ideal nest site. They get in through gaps at the eaves and soffits, broken ridge or verge tiles, missing mortar and holes where cables or pipes go through, often after climbing a tree, ivy or a downpipe.

Grey squirrels breed twice a year, with litters in early spring and again in summer, which is when females most often look for a sheltered nest. In autumn they're also hoarding food.

Once inside, squirrels do real damage. They chew roof timbers, strip insulation for bedding, gnaw electrical cables and can damage water tanks and pipework. The noise, usually early morning and evening, is often the first sign.

The law: can I release a grey squirrel?

No. Grey squirrels are listed under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and are a species of special concern under the Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019. It is an offence to release a grey squirrel, or allow one to escape, into the wild once it has been caught. A trapped grey squirrel has to be dispatched humanely.

Animal welfare law also applies. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996, any trapped animal must not be caused unnecessary suffering, so live-capture traps must be checked at least once a day. This is one reason we recommend a professional rather than DIY trapping.

Red squirrels are fully protected, but they're not found in the East Midlands, so the squirrels in your loft will be greys.

How we remove squirrels

We start by inspecting the loft and the outside of the roof to find how they're getting in and where they're nesting. We also check for signs of bats, which are protected by law; if there's any sign of bats, we stop and advise you before any work goes ahead.

We set live-capture traps in the loft and check them daily. Most squirrel jobs take three to seven days. Once the squirrels are gone, we proof the entry points with galvanised mesh and steel plates so new squirrels can't take their place. We can also clear nesting material and droppings from the loft.

What our customers say

“I can't speak highly enough about Gino. He attended my problem with squirrels in my loft the same day, even though I had called in the afternoon. He professionally assessed the situation and talked me through all the options. The problem was dealt with rapidly and he returned to installed measures to prevent further incursions. Thank you Gino” — Jim, June 2023, Google review.